Howdy! I'm looking to purchase my first FZJ80 but am admittedly a noob and don't really know my way around an engine. After months of searching and divining into forums, manuals and videos I think I've found one. However there's nothing like experience to tell you what to look out for. Can anyone please share some things they wish they knew prior to purchasing their first? I'm referencing this Noob guid 80 Series Newbie Guide - Slee Off Road - https://sleeoffroad.com/tech-zone/80-series-newbie-guide/ but would love to hear others experiences. Thank you!
Looking to purchase first FZJ80
- Thread starter Argonaut54
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That's a whole other level and seems like it may offer some real insights.
Welcome to the forum
My advice is:
- Don't buy unless you want to learn to wrench and have the time/space/$$ in your life for an 80 OR you are ok with spending more than you may expect or want to spend paying folks to help you care for your 80
- Don't buy rust
- Buy one that you like the looks of in terms of paint/body condition OR budget accordingly for paint/body work which can easily exceed $10k for a basic paint job
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Avoid rust. Virtually everything else can be fixed. Plan on $2k in parts just to baseline it, unless the previous owner was meticulous and proactive (i.e. a weirdo like us). Don't get caught up in nonsense like triple lockers or specific mods, just look for a decent starting point.
Parts are being discontinued. '95 - '97 is probably your best choice now because of that.
One gotcha I'll point out is to check for rear disc brakes on anything before '95. I see Craigslist listings that brag about "has the center diff lock option!" If it came from the factory with a CDL button, then it's drum rear, no ABS, and semi-floating rear axle. Not that it's the end of the world, it's just a pet peeve of mine when sellers try to mislead people.
Parts are being discontinued. '95 - '97 is probably your best choice now because of that.
One gotcha I'll point out is to check for rear disc brakes on anything before '95. I see Craigslist listings that brag about "has the center diff lock option!" If it came from the factory with a CDL button, then it's drum rear, no ABS, and semi-floating rear axle. Not that it's the end of the world, it's just a pet peeve of mine when sellers try to mislead people.
This all the way.That's a whole other level and at least seems like it may offer some real insights.
Welcome to the forum
My main advice is:
- Don't buy unless you want to learn to wrench and have the time/space/$$ in your life for an 80 OR you are ok with spending more than you may expect or want to spend paying folks to help you care for your 80
- Don't buy rust
- Buy one that you like the looks of in terms of paint/body condition OR budget accordingly for paint/body work which can easily exceed $10k for a basic paint job
CrabCake
SILVER Star
I learned a lot about mine after the fact...but I'm really happy, some by chance, how it all worked out. I know cars and trucks, but didn't have a lot of knowledge on these but I got a woody for one on auction, so I didn't have much extra time to second guess. If you read the SLEE guide, then you have at least some solid knowledge. As others have said, any 25+ year old 4x4 will need work and cash no matter how well maintained...amount of cash depends on how much you can do yourself. Agreed above, run from rust as it's a monster...mechanical stuff can all be fixed.
Hoping to welcome you to the '80 club!
Hoping to welcome you to the '80 club!
JohnnyUtah2
SILVER Star
I agree with what @gummycarbs and @jpoole said above.
Also, read this thread several times, baseline everything, then start your build If I was to start all over again, I would... - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/if-i-was-to-start-all-over-again-i-would.884004/
Good luck. Post up what you find.
Also, read this thread several times, baseline everything, then start your build If I was to start all over again, I would... - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/if-i-was-to-start-all-over-again-i-would.884004/
Good luck. Post up what you find.
Pierce
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Expect to get it right on the second one. The first one is just your starter cruiser.
REKCUT
SILVER Star
Buy the truck you like best and don't worry about what others think about what you paid.
Francis K
SILVER Star
Get something more modern and supported unless you have a very specific reason that you want an 80 which no other vehicle will supplant
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- #10
by "supported" do you mean parts becoming unavailable?
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- #11
Really appreciate everyone's comments - you don't know what you don't know. I'm opening myself up to a whole world I didn't know existed and finding the right questions to ask prior to purchase.
This will be my DD - I'll be taking it to construction sites daily, possibly hauling material, and for longer road trips, camper or otherwise. Short daily commutes, long trips. I'm not intending to build a rig atm but might, and would learn along the way.
I'm okay spending a little more upfront with proper records and to know it's been well maintained. Again, reliability is key here; i don't want to purchase an LC if it can't be worked on at my leisure (but I know that's not always realistic). Thoughts?
This will be my DD - I'll be taking it to construction sites daily, possibly hauling material, and for longer road trips, camper or otherwise. Short daily commutes, long trips. I'm not intending to build a rig atm but might, and would learn along the way.
I'm okay spending a little more upfront with proper records and to know it's been well maintained. Again, reliability is key here; i don't want to purchase an LC if it can't be worked on at my leisure (but I know that's not always realistic). Thoughts?
Francis K
SILVER Star
Correct
You should buy a new F-150.
I'm not kidding. I love my 80, but you would be way better off with an F-150 (or similar).
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- #14
appreciate the honesty. giving it some consideration
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- #15
could also see myself in something newer, a 100 series perhaps
Out of curiosity (and so we can better help) why an 80?
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- #17
I was never super focused on 80's specifically, other than it being a body type i really like, tbh
I got this one for virtually nothing out of a Kohl's parking lot in June and only then because I've always wanted one. I'm probably somewhere between 200 and 300 hours in and I'd guess $2500-$3k in parts (a lot of that was a completely new suspension) and it's still not road ready. A LOT of that time was fighting rusty bolts with extractor sockets, map/pro, and O/A so if you're in a dry climate you'll have less of that to mess with. I also took like 15 times longer than some of these guys to rebuild the knuckles, so my numbers may be off. Right now I'm fighting the braking system, but feel like I'm about to figure it out because there's not much left for me to replace. That all said, it's been a really really fun project and the trucks are some of the sexiest vehicles ever on the road, so if you have time it'll be fun.
I like my 80, but based on what you plan to use it for I would second a truck. The 80 can get expensive and time consuming really quick. A lot of mechanics don’t want to work on them. Plus if you are going to be carrying supplies and moving equipment in and out a truck or work van would be better.
Another factor to think about is your time. You can spend a ton of time fixing an 80. Which for some people is fine, but you also have to consider what else you could be doing that would get you a better return like learning a new skill, going to school or working extra hours.
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- #20
this would for sure be a new skill to learn, which i would thoroughly enjoy, but also, perhaps, not atm in life... good advice all around
